Knowledge of Dental Avulsion Among Emergency Physicians: A Survey Study

INTRODUCTION: Dentoalveolar injuries are complex conditions affecting teeth and surrounding tissues and frequently seen in children or adolescents. The purpose of this study was to investigate levels of knowledge of traumatic dental injury among trauma emergency physicians (EPs).
METHODS: A questionnaire was used to investigate EPs’ levels of knowledge of and therapeutic approaches to avulsion. One hundred EPs were included in the study. The questionnaire was mailed to participants, and the data obtained were evaluated. Descriptive statistics and chi square tests were used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS: Our results showed that although EPs frequently encountered dental traumas, they stated that the dental emergencies had not been included in their medical education. And the knowledge level of dental avulsion of all EPs included in the study was following; 24% low, 56% moderate and only 18% high.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: EPs possessed inadequate knowledge concerning the immediate treatment of dental avulsion. The treatment of avulsion should be included in the medical curriculum. This will result in appropriate emergency treatments in dental avulsion being provided in emergency settings.